Illini become bowl eligible with 28-17 victory over Ball State

Saturday

Illinois fifth-year seniors such as linebacker J Leman, guard Martin O'Donnell and safety Kevin Mitchell endured plenty of low points during their first four seasons in the program.

Illinois fifth-year seniors such as linebacker J Leman, guard Martin O'Donnell and safety Kevin Mitchell endured plenty of low points during their first four seasons in the program.

Eight wins total. Only two in the Big Ten Conference. A 14-game Big Ten losing streak. A 13-game conference losing streak on the road. Then there was that 53-point loss to Penn State two years ago.

"Over the last few years, we've lost a few in a row,'' Mitchell said.

After the Illini ended a two-game losing streak Saturday with a 28-17 victory over Ball State at Memorial Stadium that left Illinois bowl eligible for the first time in six seasons, the celebration began. Fans chanted coach Ron Zook's name. O'Donnell hugged teammates at the entrance to the tunnel.

"Some guys in the locker room were messing around, rolling a bowling ball,'' said Illini running back Rashard Mendenhall, who rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns. "We're going bowling.''

For the first time since Kurt Kittner led the Illini to the Big Ten title in 2001, the partying in the stadium parking lots after dark finally made sense.

Illinois improved to 6-3 overall before returning to conference play with a road game against Minnesota on Saturday (7 p.m., Big Ten Network).

"I've not made a big deal about the six (wins),'' Zook said. "You set a goal, then you get to that goal and -- sigh -- 'I've made it.' We're not there yet. We've got an opportunity to win nine games. In the next three games, somebody is going to win.

"We have an opportunity to have a special year. Let's not stop here.''

While Illinois is eligible for its first bowl game since appearing in the 2002 Sugar Bowl, the Illini aren't guaranteed a bowl slot yet. Six Big Ten teams are already bowl eligible. Three more need one more victory to reach that status, so the Illini must keep winning to assure a trip to bowl season. The Big Ten has contracts with seven bowls.

"We're still hungry,'' Leman said. "We realize we haven't arrived yet. This is one step from where we're going. We're playing for a lot.''

Trailing 10-7 in the third quarter after a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ball State linebacker Mike Dorulla, the Illini scored on three of their next four possessions to build the 28-17 lead.

"It wasn't pretty in a lot of instances,'' Zook said. "Last year or the year before, we wouldn't have won that game.''

Illinois won despite quarterback Juice Williams throwing for just 145 yards and two interceptions. Williams had 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns while playing the entire game for the first time in five weeks.

Williams' overthrow bounced off Mendenhall's hands and into Dorulla's.

"I could have easily caught the ball,'' Mendenhall said. "I tried to make a cut before I caught it. That was my mistake.''

Back on the sidelines, Mendenhall heard another challenge from Zook.

"I told Rashard during the third quarter, 'You have to take this team and put it on your back,' '' Zook said.

Mendenhall's 30-yard touchdown later in the quarter put the Illini ahead 21-10.

"Coach Zook will fire you up,'' Mendenhall said. "That's happened a couple times this year. I try to take that challenge every time.''

Illinois' 324 yards rushing was its second best performance of the season, topped only by the 378 yards at Syracuse. Meanwhile, Leman and the Illini defense slowed Ball State quarterback Nate Davis, who entered the game ranked as No. 12 passer in the nation with a 285.7-yard average.

Davis was 16-for-33 passing for 167 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked four times. Ball State (5-4) missed 35- and 26-yard field goal attempts.

"We just couldn't get anything rolling,'' Davis said.

It took five years for Illinois' fifth-year seniors to get the bowling ball rolling.

Notes

The victory was Illinois' first against a non-conference opponent in a homecoming game in four tries. The last non-conference opponent for homecoming was Stanford in 1966. … Mitchell's interception in the fourth quarter gives him a team-high four for the season. … Illini freshman punter Anthony Santella's 42.2-yard average was his best of the season.